My dad loved this song and almost blew the speakers out when the drum solo came on. Today would have been his 68th birthday. A proud Marine and Vietnam Vet. I love and miss you more than words can say, dad.
67 here. I have always wondered when 'our' day would come and the good stuff would hit the assisted living homes finally :) I mean move over Elvis,. Harry is here!
Harry saved my life. I was clinically depressed, hated college, my girl broke up with me. Then, sitting in the Enoch Light listening room at JHU, I saw Pandemonium Shadow Show in the catalog, and filled out the request for the album on a whim. I put it on the turntable and within five minutes, I was totally consumed by Harry and his music. Lifted me up and got me over some really bad rough spots. God bless you Harry, wherever you are.
@@stevenpyron3406 Steve, I would never argue with you about the healing and redemptive powers of music. I am living proof. To this day, I hate John Lennon for leading Harry astray and materially contributing to his vocal cord damage. Thank you for your reply.
I first heard this song when the Nilsson Schmilsson album was first release 50 years ago. It has been a favorite of mine for all that time. “New” music for me is the Eagles.
Rick Paul said it best.: "This song is desperation. It is shaking your fist at the sky and screaming uncontrollably. This is an unstable guy making unstable art. This may be the first punk song. Pure analog anger with zero fucks given. A masterpiece."
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Nathaniel Rateliff and the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra do a tribute to Nilsson. The orchestra just about blew the roof off of the concert hall playing this song. One of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed!
Don't know if NILSSON wanted all that notoriety, he was involved with alcoholic beverages, chemical mood adjusters, hanging out/destroying himself alongside John Lennon and doing other out of normal activities. Don't think he wanted too much spotlight and paparazzi, he enjoyed being alone with close buddies and not in magazines.
I agree he was amazing but likely very depressed and destroyed himself, dying before his time. Had he lasted longer he might have gained more recognition. RIP Harry , you will long be remembered by many of us.
The greatest are rarely recognized in their lifetimes unfortunately, mostly because they’re usually way ahead of their time. Harry Nilsson is appreciated more and more each passing day.
@@finddeniro cause of death was heart and respiratory problems, including pulmonary edema (fluid in his lungs), respiratory insufficiency, and acute heart failure
@@Charles2.24 All caused by his heart failure. Heart can't pump strongly enough so fluid builds up in the lungs which causes respiratory insufficiency.
One of the most badass songs ever!! The bass groove and the drums alone are legendary. Harry's singing takes it all to the next level. Rock on good people!
After the Beatles broke up John Lennon said if you want to hear the Beatles, listen to ELO and Harry Nilsson. This song proves it and so does half the other songs on this album. Gone too soon... Boy I remember "Nilsson Schmilsson'!!!
@RichardMaxwell-hc8eg - I agree. I'm 70 years old now and I loved "The Point" . Saw the movie on TV at Christmas time in Rhodesia. Rushed out after New Year and bought the vinyl record. Still have it today - 2024 - and I still listen to it.
My grandma had a HUGE cabinet record player that flipping cranked. Floor model that weighed a Thousand pounds. You know the old ones that went up to eleven and had such great reverb. Sat for years, no one used it. Bought this record on a whim. Slapped this LP in and just rumbled the house. My Gosh that was fun! People upstairs screaming, what the heck was that devil music coming from. My friend and I, of course as high as a kite. Just rolling around on the basement floor laughing our asses off. When he drum solo hit. We saw GOD! Such a good day.
It was a super trip. The echo comes on right from the start. I've got to look up who played on this. The bass is so great. So sorry Harry drank himself to death. What a great voice.
I had a similar experience on my grandma's farm in Clearfield County, PA. I think I learned the value of stillness and silence. It still serves me well today. Bless you Harry for what you have given me.
Funny thing is the first thing I thought of was only keep seeing his helicopters. And the thing was when I heard it it was a badass song but I didn't really know who sang it. I just figured it was popular across the radio and then it played in Goodfellas and that's where I knew it. But I always want to know who f****** sang it... I feel like I was blessed with a great gift tonight to recap to the identity of this artist that's what f****** love and music is all about man thanks😊
@@mrbill9248 Keith Moon never played on a Nilsson recording, tho he does play on Jimmy Page's "Bolero", Roy Harper's "Male Chauvanist Pig Blues" & Roger Daltrey's "Say It Aint So, Joe." Harry Nilsson not only could match Keith's capacity for brandy, he could also match Keith's great capacity for quips, jibes, japes, & bon mots.
@@andrewmoser5539 Not to get too semantically preoccupied or detract terribly from Harry's superb music, but there's a great stretch between being troubled and being psychotically homicidal. Harry Nilsson was a troubled man, but he wasn't psychotic and he didn't murder anyone.
On the radio radio stations are for profit corporations and the boss makes more money selling two 2:58 minute songs than just one 6:23. Multiply by 24/7 x 30 days/12 months = mucho money 💰...!
It was 1971. I was about 2 or 3 years old and I was jumping around like a mad child to this tune. Thanks to my folks for having this lp in their collection, and BIG thanks to Harry Nilsson for so much great music and memories 🙂
I think that Harry was the ONLY one to make music like this. His broad range of styles were totally unique...My 37 year old son thinks Harry's "Coconut" is 'way cool' 😀
My favorite song to play in my head whenever I have to stand and wait in a line. Lots of people look at me bobbing my head and wonder what is going on. One time I was doing it and got the same results, except this one little boy started bobbing his head with me. I started singing the words and we both were bobbing harder. He motioned for his mom to come close to him and he whispered in her ear. She told me that he asked her if he could hug me. I picked him up, hugged him and told him to pick out something from the candy rack. He chose a Twix candy bar. Said it was his sister's favorite. I asked him what was his favorite. He pointed to a Hershey bar. I told him to grab 2 of them cuz that is my favorite also. Don't know if still remembers it, but I have never forgotten it. That is why I am always also smiling when others are wondering what is going with me....as we all wait in line.
There was an interview John Lennon did before he flew to the US. They asked him “What’s your favorite band?” He said “I’m listening to a lot of Harry Nillson right now. He’s my favorite band. Harry Nillson is my favorite band.” I’m just starting to revisit his work. This song is, as you said, just brilliant from beginning to end.
Maybe check out the Prof of Rock story behind Harry’s “Without You”, written by Badfinger’s Pete Ham & Tom Evans. There’s always a story behind every song. This one’s amazing happy/sad.
One night, long ago, this song came on my brother’s car radio just as we pulled up to a red light on the main road in a small town in New Jersey. My brother turned the volume up as loud as it would go and we all lept out of the car leaving the doors open and we started jump dancing like possessed mad men. The light turned green, but we kept on dancing out there while cars lined up behind. Not one car blew the horn at us! We danced until the song was over, then all got back in the car and drove away……
True words. I have a few "perfect albums" on my list and this is one. I have had this album in my life since it's release, it was part of the soundtrack of my very young childhood and on. There isn't a song on it that is not perfection.
@@johnsarab4500 I'm too young to be a 'boomer' , but yes , us oldies lived through the best music....60's -early 70's , even late 50's ....all very groovy
Ohio - Pretenders Not even the best bassline in the Movie, Jack Bruce Psycho Killer, My Generation, Detroit Rock City, Sure Know Something, Never Break the Chain, Roundabout, I - Kiss, Crazy Little Thing Called Love ...
Personnel Harry Nilsson - vocals, electric piano. John Uribe - lead guitar. Chris Spedding - rhythm guitar. Klaus Voormann - rhythm guitar. Jimmy Webb - piano. Herbie Flowers - bass. Jim Gordon - drums, percussion.
Marty Scorcese has a knack for picking not only the perfect track for his scores but also where and what amount. He has the songs in his head as he imagines the scenes sometimes decades before he makes a film.
The thing I love about that sequence in Goodfellas is how Scorsese mirrors Henry's fractured state by switching randomly between all of those different songs.
I remember buying the vinyl album and being shocked by the cover photo. Harry just looked BAD. The when I listened to the songs, I knew something has changed.
G'zzzz ...I had this album till it died...lol , and never did I notice the hash pipe... love hash , but I never noticed the pipe.....my bad ! Definitely Rock on Harry !
How about a little love for Herbie Flowers massive bass line? He also did the bass for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Plus the great drums by the tragic Jim Gordon.
Those bass runs are the finest I've heard. The entire piece is so tight. That was the beauty of the time - you had to be that good. We were raised on the finest music made - it was fresh, new and never before heard. It's why groups of the past thirty years have been sampling the music of my generation - they need that injection of authenticity. Nilsson didn't. He was the authentic one, along with everyone in his band.
It is hard to convey the craziness of those times. One example might help. In 1972 I was substitute teaching in my small home town in Illinois, and at the high school one day this song was blasting through the school's sound system between classes. I loved the song, and it really spoke to the freedom that young people were feeling. Harry Nilsson made some great music, and this may have been his best.
I am also from a little town in Illinois in the 70’s, Rantoul, home of Chanute Air Force Base, it was right next to Champaign-Urbana where the U of I is. 😊
I'm reading the credits on the album's Wikipedia page and it looks as if Harry played electric piano. Jim Webb played acoustic piano, Jim Gordon played drums and percussion, Herbie Flowers played bass, guitars were played by John Uribe, Chris Spedding, and Klaus Voormann.
I totally agree! I bought this "album" (actually an 8-track cassette) just before leaving for my freshman year in college and the album turned into a classic. This song still makes me want to jump and my skin tingles with goose bumps. Love this long version, with the drum solo, the bass, ooops there goes the hair on my neck stand up! The long version is the only way to listen to this song.
Did you know that those sessions was mostly just Harry since he played all of the instruments on those tracks. He was that brilliant he played drums, bass, guitar, piano, horns, reeds sang lead and backing vocals. Hard to believe his talent and skill.
Jim Gordon did here what no other drummer could have. He brought his "A" game , as always. This was a wonderful period in Jim's career, and in spite of the tragic ending just about 10 years later, he must always be remembered for the totally unbelievable drumming he gave the world on so many, many recordings.
Thank you from a Jim Gordon "student". Have wore tapes out playing to this guy..He needs to be acknowledged for his genius and allowed to age gracefully..im pretty sure he knows what he did..best wishes and prayers too him and his family..god bless
don't forget that he also played drums on Layla AND he wrote and played the piano portion of the same song. (his girlfriend made the claim that she actually wrote it, Jim stole it and added it to the song)
@@equipmentmanagementservice2310 Yes, indeed, Jim Gordon was a great, great drummer, who - in addition to lending his drumming to all the tracks on "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" - played on countless classic songs with other famous artists (everything from "Classical Gas" and "Different Drum" to "Marrakesh Express" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," just to name a few).
@@equipmentmanagementservice2310 Now, one note about that piano solo, to call her "his girlfriend" omits the fact that she was Rita Coolidge, a great musical artist in her own right.
Herbie Flowers (who also played both standup and electric bass to get the groove on Lou Reed's 'Walk On The Wild Side') did the bass work on this tune. Klaus Voorman (bassist for Manfred Mann and later the Plastic Ono Band) actually played rhythm guitar on this track.
Believe me, THIS is the medicine, this is the drug that's needed when your day has already gotten off to a bad start and you've had one irritation after another ...this will make it all better... and make it keep getting better and better each time you hear it. Thank you Harry Nilsson for being YEARS AHEAD of YOUR TIME with this song.
@Steve Sancho Steve, who ever told you that was Cocaine, I'm sorry, but they lied to you. Funny story , but you must have mixed it with something else, Cocaine itself, wouldn't leave you like that. Or is that a Jamie Foxx or Tim Meadows story?
Yes indeed, a great solo, and yes Bonham was a great drummer but so was Neil Peart RIP, and Keith Moon RIP, as were Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich. All great artists with each having unforgettable solo performances in their times respectively. The Righteous Brothers said it best "If there's a rock and roll heaven then you know they have a hell of a band".
An award winning, respected, instantly recognizable performer who left behind a string of classic songs - as well as "The Point." Who's going to be your underrated musician *next* week - David Bowie? John Williams? Sinatra? 🤔
I remember listening to this in a friends car in the early 70s on an quadrophonic 8 track tape system he had. It was a great mix that made it sound like the music was circling you. One of the few times I heard anything special out of quadrophonic recordings.
@@GrayRaceCat yeh yeh that's what happens I almost fell out of my chair when Toccata music raced around the room 😅 I fell into the table and hung on my buddy saw this and jumped up and pulled the tape (we always had a trip master for safety) 😅🤣🤣🤣
How many people only know of Dick Dale from Pulp Fiction. It's kind of annoying they don't delve any deeper in both cases. They are missing out on so much.
Amen to that! So glad to see this comment... tired of seeing ones that say "This [movie/show/whatever] brought me here"! I'm ALWAYS here for the GREAT music!!! Period! LOL 🖒😉Great time growing up in the 70s for sure ... music cannot be beat! 🌞🌿🌻🐦 Cars, clothes, & hair were pretty cool then, too! 😁 I was born in '57 ... going on 63yrs. young in a few months! Rock ON!!! ✌😍♪♬
Back in the 1970s in Los Angeles when one evening word got around to "Jump Into the Fire", Ringo Starr told me that in his opinion, this particular song by H. Nilsson was "at least as good as anything we ever recorded with the Beatles." Now, that's saying quite a lot...
When I entered my teens, I had a paper route so I was making a little money. Back then, you could buy an album for 5 bucks. It was time for me to start amassing the huge collection I had by the time I hit my 20s. This was the first album I bought!
Today is July 22, 2020. This song sounds as good today as it did back then. Folks, music is not defined by the time it was made, but it's content. And this is good
The use of this in Goodfellas was inspired. I felt the tension, panic, and action in my soul along with Henry Hill during those scenes. I am in my mid-fifties and I am just now starting to learn about Nilsson after watching the documentary Nilsson: Everybody's Talking 'Bout Me. Until I saw that, I never knew this was a Nilsson song!
This guy is so gifted and versatile. Only discovering Nilsson recently but I’m blown away by his eclectic songwriting ability and his incredibly versatile voice.
My dad loved this song and almost blew the speakers out when the drum solo came on. Today would have been his 68th birthday. A proud Marine and Vietnam Vet. I love and miss you more than words can say, dad.
❤️👌🥂 To your Dad x
@@jogon7914 thank you 🥲❤️
Im sorry for your loss. He lived and died so we CAN be Free……💔❤️🔥❤️
RIP, thank you for your service sir
@@romeysiamese6662 thank you, you’re so kind! It really means a lot!
Makes me feel like Ray Liotta doing a coke run in a Cadillac everytime lol
Watching for Helicopters 😂
Don't forget to get the papers get the papers 😂@robertwalters8982
I totally feel this! 😂
I came out of Ross the other day, saw a dam helicopter 🚁
What movie?
When this song was meshed with Henry Hill's breakdown in Goodfellas; pure genius!
Yes yes yes!!
RIP Ray Liotta AKA Henry Hill
@@sookie4195 Aww didn't know
Omg I didn't know..
M
🎯
Now I am 70 and live in assisted living ---- Tune made us all jump - loved it then and love it now, Hey we have something to get us going
Do you want me to break you out?
Dude, wake all those old farts up
close behind. rock on.
Keep on truckin'!
67 here. I have always wondered when 'our' day would come and the good stuff would hit the assisted living homes finally :) I mean move over Elvis,. Harry is here!
Harry saved my life. I was clinically depressed, hated college, my girl broke up with me. Then, sitting in the Enoch Light listening room at JHU, I saw Pandemonium Shadow Show in the catalog, and filled out the request for the album on a whim. I put it on the turntable and within five minutes, I was totally consumed by Harry and his music. Lifted me up and got me over some really bad rough spots. God bless you Harry, wherever you are.
Your story gave me chill bumps. Not to get all weird but the healing powers of music are as real as it gets! Much love and thank you for sharing!
@@stevenpyron3406 Steve, I would never argue with you about the healing and redemptive powers of music. I am living proof. To this day, I hate John Lennon for leading Harry astray and materially contributing to his vocal cord damage. Thank you for your reply.
@@randallreed9048 wow! I never knew that about Lennon! Learn something new everyday! But anyway I Love this song! Love to drive to it!
@@randallreed9048
Don’t look back
Don't know where Randall Reed is getting this information but to say that John Lennon lead Harry Nilsson astray and ruin his voice is misleading.
This song is 50 years old & STILL kicks ass!❤😎
I first heard this song when the Nilsson Schmilsson album was first release 50 years ago. It has been a favorite of mine for all that time. “New” music for me is the Eagles.
Yeah. It's. Great. Jay
And it always will kick ass people cuz it's the best mother f****** song in the world
@@williamtisdale1577 "kin A right.
The best stuff is old; today's safe crap is shite.
Man, I was born in the greatest era!!!!😛😛😛😛 What a time to be alive!!!!!😮😮😮
Amen❣️
Can't agree more, brother! 👍🔥☮️👍
Late sixties when I made the leap from AM bubblegum to FM. I knew I was home. All that incredible talent!!
I tell my kids that all the time. They also listen to “our” music
Thanks for doing nothing for those coming later. Glad you had a good time.
Same
Can we please acknowledge the genius of Harry Nillson? Full of surprises Never disapponts
You are absolutely right. How are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe out there?
Yes!!!!!!!
It is all about the bathrobe. No inhibitions and courage!
@@bassistlearningdrums lol😊🔥
This song was way ahead of its time.
Rick Paul said it best.: "This song is desperation. It is shaking your fist at the sky and screaming uncontrollably. This is an unstable guy making unstable art. This may be the first punk song. Pure analog anger with zero fucks given. A masterpiece."
analog and punk ! 100% I hear all sorts of influences just creeping out 😊
Yeah !
Hell yeah
That is an accurate description. Thank you.
Sure does sound like it, true
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Nathaniel Rateliff and the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra do a tribute to Nilsson. The orchestra just about blew the roof off of the concert hall playing this song. One of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed!
Couldn’t be happier to hear that Harry is still being honored!!! 😊
That sounds awesome. You know the musicians all knew about the song being in Goodfellas..... blasted it!
Jealous💕
did you get it on video? would be fun to see it.
Totally awesome Harry Nilsson he will never be forgotten
This song is AMAZING! Harry never got the recognition that he deserved. Just a very gifted singer AND songwriter.
Idk the beatles loved him and they are the most popular band that ever existed so I’d been happy with just that.
Don't know if NILSSON wanted all that notoriety, he was involved with alcoholic beverages, chemical mood adjusters, hanging out/destroying himself alongside John Lennon and doing other out of normal activities. Don't think he wanted too much spotlight and paparazzi, he enjoyed being alone with close buddies and not in magazines.
I agree he was amazing but likely very depressed and destroyed himself, dying before his time. Had he lasted longer he might have gained more recognition. RIP Harry , you will long be remembered by many of us.
The greatest are rarely recognized in their lifetimes unfortunately, mostly because they’re usually way ahead of their time. Harry Nilsson is appreciated more and more each passing day.
RIP Ray Liotta🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Tobacco ?
@@finddeniro cause of death was heart and respiratory problems, including pulmonary edema (fluid in his lungs), respiratory insufficiency, and acute heart failure
@@Charles2.24 All caused by his heart failure. Heart can't pump strongly enough so fluid builds up in the lungs which causes respiratory insufficiency.
That's all the money we had, Karen!!
@@ThomasDoriety
I gotta come home, to this??
That BASS! The cat playin' that bass is NOT fuckin' around.
Herbie flowers seriously kicks ass on bass
Underrated guy
Herbie Flowers. Also played the legendary bass parts on Space Oddity and Walk on the Wild Side
He's a madman
Its sooooo God damn dirty
One of the most badass songs ever!! The bass groove and the drums alone are legendary. Harry's singing takes it all to the next level. Rock on good people!
That is some seriously deep bass at times
The part of the song from 0:00 to 7:03 is really good.
Lol, ....true
fukkin' ehhhh !!! peace
After the Beatles broke up John Lennon said if you want to hear the Beatles, listen to ELO and Harry Nilsson. This song proves it and so does half the other songs on this album. Gone too soon... Boy I remember "Nilsson Schmilsson'!!!
I started listening to Nilsson after I saw the Point on the tv in the early 70s
@RichardMaxwell-hc8eg - I agree. I'm 70 years old now and I loved "The Point" . Saw the movie on TV at Christmas time in Rhodesia. Rushed out after New Year and bought the vinyl record. Still have it today - 2024 - and I still listen to it.
Me too The Point was a Cool Film 👍
My grandma had a HUGE cabinet record player that flipping cranked. Floor model that weighed a Thousand pounds. You know the old ones that went up to eleven and had such great reverb. Sat for years, no one used it. Bought this record on a whim. Slapped this LP in and just rumbled the house. My Gosh that was fun! People upstairs screaming, what the heck was that devil music coming from. My friend and I, of course as high as a kite. Just rolling around on the basement floor laughing our asses off. When he drum solo hit. We saw GOD! Such a good day.
It was a super trip. The echo comes on right from the start. I've got to look up who played on this. The bass is so great. So sorry Harry drank himself to death. What a great voice.
@@antrygis1 A tragedy among the euphoria. Yes, Harry took me on an incredible ride. I am more because of him.
I had a similar experience on my grandma's farm in Clearfield County, PA. I think I learned the value of stillness and silence. It still serves me well today. Bless you Harry for what you have given me.
I played Black Sabbath at 78 speed and had the same experience..
@@MichaelJohnson-lv5rm Haven't we all!
ONE OF THE GREATEST BASSLINES AND ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUM SOLOS IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC
@jonathanbirch2022 I remembered him from the Layla and other assorted love songs, but had no idea that his outcome was such. Truly tragic.
@jonathanbirch2022What happened to him?
The guitar works is also quite excellent.
Herbie Flowers session bassist was paid 12£ for his efforts here.
@thepedanticphoenix
Oh my goodness that’s so very sad all the way around, thank you for answering me 😊
Timeless. Could be a hit today.
It sounds like an indie rock tune that could be on WBRU or whatever the college indie rock station is in your town.
We could make each other happy.... : )
great tune a timeless classic harry is a cool dude
It IS.
It’s is!!!!!!!
How many younger people (younger than say 40) understand how great this song is? This never gets old.
I discovered this wonderful song while watching "GoodFellas" 🎸🥁🎤
I love Goodfellas ❤
I discovered it from watching The Serpent
@@ElenaKato25or6to4me too, I'm sure a lot of people did, Scorsese always puts a lot of classic songs in his films.
Go home & get your shine box
Funny thing is the first thing I thought of was only keep seeing his helicopters. And the thing was when I heard it it was a badass song but I didn't really know who sang it. I just figured it was popular across the radio and then it played in Goodfellas and that's where I knew it. But I always want to know who f****** sang it... I feel like I was blessed with a great gift tonight to recap to the identity of this artist that's what f****** love and music is all about man thanks😊
The drummer is, was, Jimmy Gordon. His troubled spirit is now at rest.
R.I.P. Jimmy, July 14, 1945 - March 13, 2023
Jim Gordon didn't have a "troubled spirit", he had paranoid schizophrenia, psychosis, a heavy drug habit, and murdered his mother.
@@ericmalone3213always thought it was Keith Moon on drums here .
@@mrbill9248 Keith Moon never played on a Nilsson recording, tho he does play on Jimmy Page's "Bolero", Roy Harper's "Male Chauvanist Pig Blues" & Roger Daltrey's "Say It Aint So, Joe." Harry Nilsson not only could match Keith's capacity for brandy, he could also match Keith's great capacity for quips, jibes, japes, & bon mots.
@@ericmalone3213 If that isn't the definition of a troubled man, I don't know what is.
@@andrewmoser5539 Not to get too semantically preoccupied or detract terribly from Harry's superb music, but there's a great stretch between being troubled and being psychotically homicidal. Harry Nilsson was a troubled man, but he wasn't psychotic and he didn't murder anyone.
that drum solo is criminally underrated
maybe that was a slip of the tongue,since the drummer was convicted of killing his mother.
@@tomloft2000 he is also a diagnosed schizophrenic who got no professional help in his time. A great tragedy really
The lame use of "underrated" is well overrated.
@@ZemanTheMighty It was due to the caine. If it didn’t kill them by heart attack it fried their brain.
That bass
Why do so many rock stations today never play so many hits like this? Every song on this album Rocks!
Because they still can't handle a 7 minute song!
because all the other UNimaginative crap is exposed lol
I agree.
Believing radio stations play good music is like believing Santa Claus is going to leave a new Harley under the tree
On the radio radio stations are for profit corporations and the boss makes more money selling two 2:58 minute songs than just one 6:23.
Multiply by 24/7 x 30 days/12 months = mucho money 💰...!
This is the song that sent my Mom charging down the hall to burst into my room screaming to turn that 'noise' off!!! LOL - the best drum solo ever!!!
The greatest drum solo ever
The bass track is cool too.
Maybe...but listen to "In a gada 😂da vitta"
Since you like that, I promise you'll like this one .. check out Cobwebs and Strange by the Who
It was 1971. I was about 2 or 3 years old and I was jumping around like a mad child to this tune. Thanks to my folks for having this lp in their collection, and BIG thanks to Harry Nilsson for so much great music and memories 🙂
I play this in my car when I'm running errands.
Perfect
Goodfellas!🎶 🎥
Snap
You're a funny guy. My dad used to also but he just liked to embarrass us during the drum solo at the stop light lol.
That helicopter has been following me all day.
Nobody makes music like this anymore, great classic!
I think that Harry was the ONLY one to make music like this.
His broad range of styles were totally unique...My 37 year old son thinks
Harry's "Coconut" is 'way cool' 😀
Goodfellas
You gotta look for it homie
It’s out there
Record companies don't sign talent anymore they sign autotune crap
This is the greatest song ever recorded by mankind.
So sorry for the young today that they can never hear the brilliance of the 60s and 70s live
My favorite song to play in my head whenever I have to stand and wait in a line. Lots of people look at me bobbing my head and wonder what is going on. One time I was doing it and got the same results, except this one little boy started bobbing his head with me. I started singing the words and we both were bobbing harder. He motioned for his mom to come close to him and he whispered in her ear. She told me that he asked her if he could hug me. I picked him up, hugged him and told him to pick out something from the candy rack. He chose a Twix candy bar. Said it was his sister's favorite. I asked him what was his favorite. He pointed to a Hershey bar. I told him to grab 2 of them cuz that is my favorite also. Don't know if still remembers it, but I have never forgotten it. That is why I am always also smiling when others are wondering what is going with me....as we all wait in line.
were you on cocaine at the time? seeing any helicopters?
thanks for the uplift I was feel in kinda down. can ya get me a reese's
cool bro
Great story- thanks!!
Touching
Still amazed by the brilliance of this entire song every time I hear it!!
Great song 😅
There was an interview John Lennon did before he flew to the US. They asked him “What’s your favorite band?” He said “I’m listening to a lot of Harry Nillson right now. He’s my favorite band. Harry Nillson is my favorite band.”
I’m just starting to revisit his work. This song is, as you said, just brilliant from beginning to end.
@@danieloneill4677 This is the ultimate garage band song. Rough and hard edged, but genius.
Maybe check out the Prof of Rock story behind Harry’s “Without You”, written by Badfinger’s Pete Ham & Tom Evans. There’s always a story behind every song. This one’s amazing happy/sad.
Pure genius. Horrifically underrated
He was NEVER "underrated"-- YTs most overrated word. Only underrated in your world perhaps.
One night, long ago, this song came on my brother’s car radio just as we pulled up to a red light on the main road in a small town in New Jersey. My brother turned the volume up as loud as it would go and we all lept out of the car leaving the doors open and we started jump dancing like possessed mad men. The light turned green, but we kept on dancing out there while cars lined up behind. Not one car blew the horn at us! We danced until the song was over, then all got back in the car and drove away……
Good times! Have to get put and jump when the music’s right. Why miss a good peak moment for any reason.
Love it
This momma too
I like listening to this song while I'm going to the moon sometimes ......
G R O O V Y!!! 🎉😂
Nilsson was pure gift from the gods, astonishing talent, thanks Harry.
Love Harry 🙂
Not God's, God.
Helicopter has been following me around all day
Sounds like a personal problem.
Not good
That's a Good Fella....take pics!...lol
This song is still immense!!!!
Always was, always will be.
And, magnificent!
Cam say a whole lot more, but yes....
Tommy mcvie
Nilsson Schmilson is a perfect album. Man.
Kaja Powers you got that right!!!
It's like a poor man's White Album. And that's not an insult. He wanted to make his version of the genre hopping of that album.
So is Son of Schmilson!
Vince Ryan pussycats!!!
True words. I have a few "perfect albums" on my list and this is one. I have had this album in my life since it's release, it was part of the soundtrack of my very young childhood and on. There isn't a song on it that is not perfection.
60 years old and can still sing every word on this album
Me too Elizabeth....63 and still singing along , loudly xxx
Can't even hum todays pop when the song is 1 year old. Us Boomers were lucky as all f**K!
@@johnsarab4500 I'm too young to be a 'boomer' , but yes , us oldies lived through the best music....60's -early 70's , even late 50's ....all very groovy
&
71 YEARS HERE !!! WHO THE F***ING HELL SAID " IF IT'S TOO LOUD , THEN YOUR TOO OLD " ?!!!!
same
After that drum solo, your brain is never the same! Such a mad, and brilliant song!
I'd rate this in the top 20 best rock songs ever....what a fun work of art !!!
For Ray Liotta. God speed.
That is the coolest bass line I’ve ever heard
Listen to Primus
Ohio - Pretenders
Not even the best bassline in the Movie, Jack Bruce
Psycho Killer, My Generation, Detroit Rock City, Sure Know Something, Never Break the Chain, Roundabout, I - Kiss, Crazy Little Thing Called Love ...
welcome to the world ..go deeep down the raabbbiittt hole
Rock On from David Essex too. In fact they are similar
Herbie Flowers who also played on Walk on the Wild side
Good GOD I forgot how intense the bass riff was on this song....and the louder you play it the more pronounced is the brilliance of the riff... wow
It's fucking AWESOME!
Personnel
Harry Nilsson - vocals, electric piano.
John Uribe - lead guitar.
Chris Spedding - rhythm guitar.
Klaus Voormann - rhythm guitar.
Jimmy Webb - piano.
Herbie Flowers - bass.
Jim Gordon - drums, percussion.
Marty Scorcese has a knack for picking not only the perfect track for his scores but also where and what amount. He has the songs in his head as he imagines the scenes sometimes decades before he makes a film.
Yes, Agree completely. From Mott the Hoople to Ray Barretto!!!!
The thing I love about that sequence in Goodfellas is how Scorsese mirrors Henry's fractured state by switching randomly between all of those different songs.
I was thinking today that Goodfellas and American Graffiti are similar in how the songs perfectly match the action.
Can't think of this song without thinking about that helicopter flying overhead. Can anyone?
That time he spent working on "Woodstock" wasn't wasted.
0:23 You see that helicopter? I think it's been followin me. "Whaaat?! GET DA FOCK OUUU, what are you, nuts?!"
Goodfellas anyone?
Haha after 00.30 sounds like helicop
Gotta love a man in his bathrobe holding a hash pipe. Should be in top ten album covers.
Rock on Harry!
I remember buying the vinyl album and being shocked by the cover photo. Harry just looked BAD. The when I listened to the songs, I knew something has changed.
G'zzzz ...I had this album till it died...lol , and never did I notice the hash pipe... love hash , but I never noticed the pipe.....my bad ! Definitely Rock on Harry !
@@rippi37
Wow same I never noticed it either.
i want the pipe and the hash LOL
@@mokelly56 Yep , me too Michael :)
Great drumming by Gordon on this.
This is the perfect song to listen to on Sunday May 11, 1980 at 6:55 AM
That was my 23rd birthday.
@@drewfullam8873 And the day the main character from Goodfellas was arrested (with this song playing as he’s being chased by the helicopter).
Good date with a girl ?
Sounds damn good on March 16, 2924
That was my dad's 35th birthday! RIP pops, you were the greatest of them all.
How about a little love for Herbie Flowers massive bass line? He also did the bass for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Plus the great drums by the tragic Jim Gordon.
Indeed got a double session fee from Reed due to suggesting acoustic and electric bass to thicken the sound...brilliant
Those bass runs are the finest I've heard. The entire piece is so tight. That was the beauty of the time - you had to be that good. We were raised on the finest music made - it was fresh, new and never before heard.
It's why groups of the past thirty years have been sampling the music of my generation - they need that injection of authenticity.
Nilsson didn't. He was the authentic one, along with everyone in his band.
Top notch bass line.
That bass was so low it was underground!!!
@@rjcushey1 And not the velvet variety either.
Harry Nilsson was so talented. gone way too soon.
Dude was a hard core alcoholic...
5 packs a day will do that
Was it a heart attack?
I'd rather be dead than wet my bed - Son of Schmilsson
@@JohnSmith-kz8yo So are useless gits who contributed nothing. Fair trade.
It is hard to convey the craziness of those times. One example might help. In 1972 I was substitute teaching in my small home town in Illinois, and at the high school one day this song was blasting through the school's sound system between classes. I loved the song, and it really spoke to the freedom that young people were feeling. Harry Nilsson made some great music, and this may have been his best.
Definitely a lost weekend...
I am also from a little town in Illinois in the 70’s, Rantoul, home of Chanute Air Force Base, it was right next to Champaign-Urbana where the U of I is. 😊
@@miketrower2009 Love the reference to Lennon, he and Nilsson certainly made an interesting pair in those days!!! 😊
Harry Nilsson did it all on this song 🎵 The drums 🥁 keyboards guitar 🎸 wrote it and sang it.He even had time to Stir The Sauce too!🤑
Yes, sauce needs to be stirred. Did you stir the sauce ???
@@j.p.wagner6461 😂😂😂
Don't yeah, yeah yeah me Louis
And what does she do? She picks up the phone and makes a call....
I'm reading the credits on the album's Wikipedia page and it looks as if Harry played electric piano. Jim Webb played acoustic piano, Jim Gordon played drums and percussion, Herbie Flowers played bass, guitars were played by John Uribe, Chris Spedding, and Klaus Voormann.
Listening to this song, you can hear how fun the recording session must’ve been. Nilsson Schmilsson, one of the best albums ever, in my opinion.
I totally agree! I bought this "album" (actually an 8-track cassette) just before leaving for my freshman year in college and the album turned into a classic. This song still makes me want to jump and my skin tingles with goose bumps. Love this long version, with the drum solo, the bass, ooops there goes the hair on my neck stand up! The long version is the only way to listen to this song.
Lots of coke in that studio
@@morrison1405 booze
Did you know that those sessions was mostly just Harry since he played all of the instruments on those tracks. He was that brilliant he played drums, bass, guitar, piano, horns, reeds sang lead and backing vocals. Hard to believe his talent and skill.
Jim Gordon did here what no other drummer could have. He brought his "A" game , as always. This was a wonderful period in Jim's career, and in spite of the tragic ending just about 10 years later, he must always be remembered for the totally unbelievable drumming he gave the world on so many, many recordings.
Thank you from a Jim Gordon "student". Have wore tapes out playing to this guy..He needs to be acknowledged for his genius and allowed to age gracefully..im pretty sure he knows what he did..best wishes and prayers too him and his family..god bless
don't forget that he also played drums on Layla AND he wrote and played the piano portion of the same song. (his girlfriend made the claim that she actually wrote it, Jim stole it and added it to the song)
@@equipmentmanagementservice2310 Yes, indeed, Jim Gordon was a great, great drummer, who - in addition to lending his drumming to all the tracks on "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" - played on countless classic songs with other famous artists (everything from "Classical Gas" and "Different Drum" to "Marrakesh Express" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," just to name a few).
@@equipmentmanagementservice2310 Now, one note about that piano solo, to call her "his girlfriend" omits the fact that she was Rita Coolidge, a great musical artist in her own right.
🥁rock wizard with the mojo chops to move mountains. What a horribly sad outcome. Poor fella.
Sent this to my Granddaughter she told me that she really likes music from back in the day. Be careful what you ask for. 🎶💥❤
I honestly believe that every song this incredible artist has done still hits as hard as when they were first recorded.
Well they are all hits to me. Love Harry
@@laurachandler1871
Yes I agree with you Laura everything that this artist done definitely would have been hits today. 👍💓😊
Way way ahead of his time.
@@cattysplat
Yes he was.
👍💓😊
We have to put these songs out and get the kids to think that their brand new somehow.
One of the best basslines in rock history
Herbie Flowers (who also played both standup and electric bass to get the groove on Lou Reed's 'Walk On The Wild Side') did the bass work on this tune. Klaus Voorman (bassist for Manfred Mann and later the Plastic Ono Band) actually played rhythm guitar on this track.
Believe me, THIS is the medicine, this is the drug that's needed when your day has already gotten off to a bad start and you've had one irritation after another ...this will make it all better... and make it keep getting better and better each time you hear it.
Thank you Harry Nilsson for being YEARS AHEAD of YOUR TIME with this song.
IBM got me listening to this song. Forgot about it.
Fucking aye!
@Steve Sancho Steve, who ever told you that was Cocaine, I'm sorry, but they lied to you.
Funny story , but you must have mixed it with something else, Cocaine itself, wouldn't leave you like that.
Or is that a Jamie Foxx or Tim Meadows story?
@Steve Sancho I'm pretty sure gardensofthegods meant the song, is the drug,not the substance Henry/Ray was inhaling in the scene.
@Steve Sancho I think you were smoking LSD or something.
Harry Nilsson - a songwriters' songwriter, a musicians' musician ... for a reason.
THE MOST UNDERRATED ARTIST EVER!
I agree of his era! He's basically the Faith No More of classic rock.
HE ROCKS ON THIS SONG.
He was a great songwriter but fun fact is his best and most well known songs are covers.
@TheBrabon1 without you was written by badfinger and everybody talking at me by the great Fred Neil.
@TheBrabon1 I would say so ,here in the UK anyway, can you think of others
That’s gotta be one of the best drum solos I’ve ever heard.
Ever heard of John Bonham?
@@jeffgrant4168 Yes.
Yes indeed, a great solo, and yes Bonham was a great drummer but so was Neil Peart RIP, and Keith Moon RIP,
as were Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich. All great artists with each having unforgettable solo performances in their times respectively. The Righteous Brothers said it best "If there's a rock and roll heaven then you know they have a hell of a band".
@@jeffgrant4168 He said "one" of the best,not all.What is that you don't understand.Cool man!Greetings from Greece-Ελλαδα Μιχαλης Κοκκινος
@@mixaliskokkinos1496 thank you, bro.
65 and still jamming to this piece of bliss!!!!!
Henry: "you see it right there, that fucking things been following me all day"
Henry's brother: "get the fuck outta here".
my favorite song from the Nilsson Schmilsson album, which is just full of good songs
One of the most underrated musicians I’ve ever heard.
Amazing that he could wring so much emotion out of what is fundamentally a one-chord song, haha.
The most overused word ever. When someone wants to seem intelligent they use the word underrated to compensate.
2 Grammys and major fame without having to tour... I say he did his Mic drop.
An award winning, respected, instantly recognizable performer who left behind a string of classic songs - as well as "The Point." Who's going to be your underrated musician *next* week - David Bowie? John Williams? Sinatra? 🤔
Why do people compulsively slap the word "underrated" on everything they enjoy? 🙄
Surprisingly heavy for a Nilsson song.
Most versatile drummer ever .One of the saddest story in rnr ever.
So true
Magnificent voice. That de-tuned bass…rock. and. roll
Not a bad song on this album. RIP Harry and thanks for the tunes.
I remember listening to this in a friends car in the early 70s on an quadrophonic 8 track tape system he had. It was a great mix that made it sound like the music was circling you. One of the few times I heard anything special out of quadrophonic recordings.
I might have been that friend
😆😆😆there's a group of words I never expected to hear in my lifetime..try quad Brain Salad Surgery on crossroads
@@brianstone8719 Keith Moon died Akron Ohio
Try Frankenstein- The Edgar Winter Group in quad, it spins around you too!
@@GrayRaceCat yeh yeh that's what happens I almost fell out of my chair when Toccata music raced around the room 😅 I fell into the table and hung on my buddy saw this and jumped up and pulled the tape (we always had a trip master for safety) 😅🤣🤣🤣
Love❤Love this album. Reminds me of my youth. Was one of my first albums.
Never can say goodbye 😊
Greatness of this song brought me here.
also worked at Cincy Library..
Russ Eichorn one of the most underrated musicians of all time.
How many people only know of Dick Dale from Pulp Fiction. It's kind of annoying they don't delve any deeper in both cases. They are missing out on so much.
☺️
This song is timeless. The drum solo is amazing......
Very amazing and it’s one of my favorite. How are you doing? Hope you are fine and staying safe out there?
Its Ringo Starr on the drums !
Absolutely, when the Bass kicks in, I'm Jamming.
Drum solo was sampled for The Orb's 'Little Fluffy Clouds' !
@@rudyufo6908 no it's Jim Gordon
Being a teenager in the 70's brought me here. And, it was good!
Born in 55
Damn, was it!!
Yep
I was 10 yrs old when I heard this and I thought "WTF is this?"
Amen to that! So glad to see this comment... tired of seeing ones that say "This [movie/show/whatever] brought me here"! I'm ALWAYS here for the GREAT music!!! Period! LOL 🖒😉Great time growing up in the 70s for sure ... music cannot be beat! 🌞🌿🌻🐦 Cars, clothes, & hair were pretty cool then, too! 😁 I was born in '57 ... going on 63yrs. young in a few months! Rock ON!!!
✌😍♪♬
Rest In Peace ray liotta a really goodfella
😊 This song does remind me of that scene in Goodfellas.
And Joe Pesci was a really funny guy.
When I hear it in my car, I always see a helicopter following me!@@nancystarr4498
We have a custom ray liota looking up at the helicopter car sun shade. R
The bass. OMG.
Right?! The way he eases up on the peg and brings it back...wow!
I used to have one of those monster component stereos with a subwoofer back in the day. We would play this and crank it up and shake the whole house.
ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS NEVER WRITTEN.
From the echoing of his voice to the bass to the drums! Be still my heart 💖💛💖My favorite!
I love a lady that gets rock music!
Me too
For SURE, tis great 👍
Back in the 1970s in Los Angeles when one evening word got around to "Jump Into the Fire", Ringo Starr told me that in his opinion, this particular song by H. Nilsson was "at least as good as anything we ever recorded with the Beatles." Now, that's saying quite a lot...
5:51 beatles talked up harry nilsson when they hit the states b/c he was their fave american artist
So 180 degrees from the usual Harry Nilsson music.He was a great singer & songwriter.Rest in Peace, Harry.
Appreciate the show “The Serpent” on Netflix for including this song in the show! Iconic song gives me chills when I listen to him sing!
Umbrella Academy season 4 episode 3
When I entered my teens, I had a paper route so I was making a little money. Back then, you could buy an album for 5 bucks. It was time for me to start amassing the huge collection I had by the time I hit my 20s. This was the first album I bought!
good choice!
This song is way ahead of. Its time.
Nilsson's best song. FIRST CLASS !
Harry's talent was/is under appreciated.
I grew up on Harry..and I miss him.
Rest in peace herbie, legend of the bass
Today is July 22, 2020. This song sounds as good today as it did back then. Folks, music is not defined by the time it was made, but it's content. And this is good
Just arrived here from season 4 of The Umbrella Academy! Thank you Klaus for the jams! 🧘🏻♂️
Seriously that guy steals the show
I am currently running errands while cranking this song. I think it’s appropriate…
The use of this in Goodfellas was inspired. I felt the tension, panic, and action in my soul along with Henry Hill during those scenes. I am in my mid-fifties and I am just now starting to learn about Nilsson after watching the documentary Nilsson: Everybody's Talking 'Bout Me. Until I saw that, I never knew this was a Nilsson song!
This is the version they should have played on the radio; brilliant, Harry! 🤩
The only reason people know about this song is good fellows....except for the baby boomers who remember it...
One of the best bass lines of all time. Feel it in your blood.
I used to crank the bass knob and blow out matches from my speaker's woofer...Good times!
This guy is so gifted and versatile. Only discovering Nilsson recently but I’m blown away by his eclectic songwriting ability and his incredibly versatile voice.
Whenever you’re in a rush or when somebody expects you at that time you got errands to do play the song you’ll get through it 👌🏼
Killer bass line! One of Nilssons' very best later works.
I think the bass player is Herbie Flowers. He's still alive, if someone else already said this, sorry.
@@brubbing1 Same bassist that played on Walk on the Wild Side...
@@JohnSmith-kz8yo thanks.
John Smith and?
Flowers was also on Bowie’s “space oddity”
RIP Ray Liotta
Goodfellas anyone? love this song so much. god bless harry Nilsson, just another one of his amazing tunes
I always think of Goodfellows when I hear this song.
Karen! That's all we had!"
Dylan MacDonald Dylan, yes, fantastic movie.
No, no one remembers that film or this song...